 |
Jacksonville Fishing Report for Amelia Island & Mayport
Capt. Dave Sipler
December 8, 2003
Jacksonville - Saltwater Fishing Report
Brrrrrr........BUT WORTH EVERY BITE!
Well, we got it.
A blast of Nordic air on Thanksgiving weekend. Yep, the letters C-O-L-D spell it and yes it's a bad "four letter word" for us in Florida.
But when you look on the bright and shiney side like I usually do, it's not all that bad.
WHY?
Cause my new motto is: "Less Sheepshead, more Speckled Trout, less crowds".
Poor ole Mr. Sheepshead, he gets beat up something bad during this time of year. Cause he bites good from now till late April.
And because up yonder here in N.E. Florida, we have alot of them. Scrappy when they are large, like 5 pounds and better. All the way up to 10 plus pounds they will rival any of their co-habitants along the 10 ton granite boulders that make up the two local Sheepshead'n spots. The St. Johns River Jetties and the St. Mary's River Jetties off the north tip of Amelia Island.
But 'nuff about the "7-striped Jetty Snappers" and back to those tender fried fillets called......Trout!
That's one thing that keeps me comin' back for more, THE EATS!
"EZ to clean, EZ to eat" I've been catching so many Trout lately, I'm having it two, three times a week.
But there's another thing about traditional Trout fishing...."It's just plain fun".
The challenge for me is to position the boat in such a way that I have the best opportunity to drift my "float-rig" past numerous spots where the fish will hang. The current is a big factor, so is the wind.
When your float with a lively shrimp on the hook gets pulled down, the fun thing is you don't know how big of a Trout it is. Cause some wild hook-set isn't gonna cut it! Finesse, catches these fish. They have a soft mouth, so as the fight begins then you'll get a feel for how big of a fish you have, cause if it pulls and pulls hard, BACK THAT DRAG OFF! And take it easy.
The rig consists of a pole float, about 7-10" long, a weight, and a leader. The float rides up and down your line, a stopper knot attached to your line sets the correct depth. And here is where people mess up.
They either have the depth set too shallow or two deep. I usually start off with my bait a foot off the bottom, and work from there.
Trout are no considered bottom feeders. Proof in that is how easy it is to catch them on a surface lure.
They are multi-water column type fish. So put your bait in their face, and you'll get bit.
Any where there's structure, and good current, many times there's Trout feeding there. Like bridge pilings, underwater concrete or rocks. Jetties make a fine place to look for them. Docks are perfect habitat too.
The bottom doesn't have to be anything special, around here. I've had super catches on perfectly flat sandy bottom. But what had them there was a funneling effect, directing Shrimp and Mullet right to them.
Creeks are a good place to find Trout. Bends and turns, oysters and grass, you shouldn't go wrong.
But I have found this time of year the creek Trout that are tightly schooled are smallish.
I believe in this rule; "big water, big fish", be it Redfish or Speckled Seatrout.
Trout move in and out and up and down the St. Johns River near Jacksonville. Different times of year have them hunkered down in different places. Right now the bigger fish seem to be pretty coopporative the closer to the inlets.
There's a seasonal closure on Speckled/Spotted Seatrout around the state. There's regions, and each one is different. Here in N.E. Florida our Trout closure is the month of February. Which can be a fantastic time to catch them, as long as it's for catch & release purposes. But then again, February is our most wintery month, so it's kinda okay, too.
I've been "float fishing" for Trout nearly every solo trip I make. Being that this is the "Off" season for around here, I've been going alone. And while I'm out there be it chilly or warm, I'm finding my fare share of these tasty and fun to catch fish, doing R&D for you.
The limit on Speckled Seatrout in Florida is 5-fish, over 15" to 20" with one over 20" of that five allowed as a trophy catch. So If we're in a hot bite of fish, we'll just weed through them and keep the biggest of course. And there's always the chance for that trophy sized fish. If you haven't seen a 5-10 pound Seatrout just out of the water before, let me tell you, nothing is more beautiful! So bring a camera.
THE REDFISH'S UGLY COUSIN
I had a fantastic charter the other day, dispite the weather, because it was....absolutely freezing cold at 7am in the morning as we left the boat ramp dock. My guys were looking like they just fell out of the plane that was heading to the Artic!
But, "Success is when Preparation meets Opportunity".
And I'm glad they were ready.
Cause we waylayed them! (Is "waylayed" a word???)
Big winter time Black Drum!
I've been waiting too long for the Redfish's ugly cousin to make it's appearance at the jetties/inlet.
Heck, they been out there but they've been small.
You see, I like big fish. And in the winter most of my giant Redfish are gone to somewhere's else.
So I need some big Whoppers for my customers.
In a 1/2 day trip we caught 13-Black Drum from 8 to 14 pounds. But that wasn't all. We also had 10-Redfish to 10 pounds, and 8-Sheepshead from 4 to 7 pounds.
But the Redfish's ugly cousin is the fish I was hoping for when I anchored the boat. And I love it when a plan comes together.
Black Drum, unlike the Speckled Trout or even the Redfish, isn't the prettiest fish on the block. But they are great fighters. I think they eat about the same as a Redfish, but then again if I have my druthers, I'm a Trout man.
The complete jetty slam right now is, Redfish, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and a Croaker or two thrown in.
Which makes for some serious ACTION!
The winter time at the St. Johns River Inlet and the St. Mary's River inlet, can be the place to be.
Cause not everyday is an offshore Grouper and Snapper kind of day, but if your looking for a good fight and some exciting fish, it's where you'll see Capt. Dave, in the For Reelin II anchored up.
I have the boat that can get you there, even if the wind is blowin. Especially, when the little inshore charter boats are having a tough time crossing the river without getting you wet.
Mr. Black Drum, he's blast on light river tackle. And of course you'll be using nothing but the best.......G. LOOMIS, cause you'll like what you feel!
Till next tide,
Feeesh on!
Capt. Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
www.captdaves.com - for recent catches photos & info.
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
